How We’re Different

HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT

We produce state-of-the-art research findings in collaboration with our network of influential organizations, leading professors and economists, development specialists, and industry experts. Our research staff includes highly qualified and trained researchers from across the globe, who are in turn supported by a strong local field team. This formulates our core strength – collecting high-quality primary data.

Our sustainable and scalable research findings have established our reputation and expertise in the areas of financial access, legal and physical infrastructure, and social services.

A DIVERSE RESEARCH AND DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Our research design portfolio includes, but is not limited to, Randomized Control Trials, Cohort Studies, Panel Studies, Policy Studies, and Short-Term Advisory Studies. We have completed over 50 rigorous studies in our core research areas, and have several research studies underway in collaboration with leading academics, government institutions and non-governmental organizations across India.

AN EXPERTISE IN WORKING WITH LOCAL INSTITUTIONS
We are committed to supporting and collaborating with local institutions and social enterprises such as FINO Tech, EKO, Pradan, Awaaz De, and SEWA Bank. We independently evaluate programs and services provided by these institutions. We also provide actionable recommendations to our funders about how local institutions can better target programmes to improve the lives of the poor in India.

SUPPORTED BY LEADING RESEARCH AND FUNDING PARTNERS

We partner with influential national and international funders such as the World Bank, GIZ, USAID, Climate Works Foundation, ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth,the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,among others.

We enjoy a mutually supportive relationship with fellow organizations engaged in impact evaluation, such as the Abdul LatifJameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), and the Financial Access Initiative at New York University (NYU).

We enjoy excellent collaborative relationships with our government partners such as the Ministry of Finance (Government of India), National Rural Bank for Development (NABARD), TN State Planning Commission, Commissionerate of Municipal Administration, and various local state government institutions, and our Industry partners such as CII, ICICI Bank, Cargill Ltd., Foundation for MSME Clusters, TANSTIA, AP Chamber of Commerce, and Madras Chamber of Commerce.

Our research model integrates us with academics at internationally renowned institutions such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California (Berkeley and San Diego), Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, and the London School of Economics (LSE), along with other academic partners.

These relationships lead to high-value conversations regarding research methods and turning results into action.